Safety Block

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of a safety block may include an actuator bracket pivotally engaged with a pivot arm. The actuator bracket may be configured to engage a master actuator having a first end moveable with respect to a second end. A secondary actuator may have a first end engaged with the actuator bracket and a second end engaged with the pivot arm such the secondary actuator may cause the pivot arm to move between a first position, in which first position the pivot arm prevents the master actuator from retracting, and a second position, in which second position the pivot arm allows the master actuator to retract.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A safety block comprising:
 a. an actuator bracket having a first end and a second end, wherein said actuator bracket is configured to engage a master actuator;   b. a pivot arm having an arm first end and an arm second end, wherein said pivot arm is pivotally engaged with said actuator bracket at said first end of said actuator bracket; and,   c. a secondary actuator having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said second actuator is engaged with said actuator bracket via a mount, and wherein said second end of said actuator is engaged with said pivot arm via a secondary actuator mount.   
     
     
         2 . The safety block according to  claim 1  wherein said master actuator is further defined as being hydraulically powered. 
     
     
         3 . The safety block according to  claim 2  wherein said secondary actuator is further defined as being hydraulically powered. 
     
     
         4 . The safety block according to  claim 3  wherein said actuator bracket is further defined as comprising a top member and a bottom member, wherein said top member and said bottom member are engaged with one another. 
     
     
         5 . The safety block according to  claim 4  wherein said top member and said bottom member are further defined as being engaged with one another via a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         6 . The safety block according to  claim 5  wherein said top member is further defined as comprising a side curtain. 
     
     
         7 . The safety block according to  claim 6  wherein said bottom member is further defined as comprising a side curtain. 
     
     
         8 . The safety block according to  claim 7  wherein said safety block further comprises a spring positioned around said secondary actuator, wherein said spring is configured to bias said secondary actuator against retraction. 
     
     
         9 . A method of preventing unwanted retraction of an actuator, said method comprising:
 a. engaging a safety block with said actuator, wherein said safety block comprises:
 i. an actuator bracket having a first end and a second end; 
 ii. a pivot arm having an arm first end and an arm second end, wherein said pivot arm is pivotally engaged with said actuator bracket at said first end of said actuator bracket, and wherein said pivot arm is pivotally offset with respect to said actuator bracket; and, 
 iii. a secondary actuator having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said second actuator is engaged with said actuator bracket via a mount, and wherein said second end of said actuator is engaged with said pivot arm via a secondary actuator mount; 
   b. extending said secondary actuator such that said pivot arm is generally parallel with respect to said actuator bracket; and,   c. preventing a rod of said master actuator from retracting toward said actuator bracket via engagement between said rod and said pivot arm.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  further comprising the step of retracting said secondary actuator such that said pivot arm is angled with respect to said actuator bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  further comprising the step of allowing said rod of said master actuator to retract toward said actuator bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein said actuator is further defined as being hydraulically powered. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said secondary actuator is further defined as being hydraulically powered. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein said actuator bracket is further defined as comprising a top member and a bottom member, wherein said top member and said bottom member are engaged with one another. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein said top member and said bottom member are further defined as being engaged with one another via a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein said top member is further defined as comprising a side curtain. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16  wherein said bottom member is further defined as comprising a side curtain. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein said safety block further comprises a spring positioned around said secondary actuator, wherein said spring is configured to bias said secondary actuator against retraction. 
     
     
         19 . A safety block comprising:
 a. an actuator bracket having a first end and a second end, wherein said actuator bracket is configured to engage a master actuator, wherein said actuator bracket is further defined as comprising a top member and a bottom member, wherein said top member and said bottom member are engaged with one another, wherein said bottom member is further defined as comprising a side curtain;   b. a pivot arm having an arm first end and an arm second end, wherein said pivot arm is pivotally engaged with said actuator bracket at said first end of said actuator bracket; and,   c. a secondary actuator having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said second actuator is engaged with said actuator bracket via a mount, and wherein said second end of said actuator is engaged with said pivot arm via a secondary actuator mount.   
     
     
         20 . The safety block according to  claim 1  wherein said master actuator is further defined as being hydraulically powered.